HC Deb 30 November 1953 vol 521 c765
50. Mr. Jay

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the proportionate increase in retirement pensions involved, respectively, for those securing the increase from the National Insurance Act, 1951; and those securing the corresponding increase under the Family Allowance and National Insurance Act, 1952.

Mr. Peake

The extra amounts given in 1951 to pensioners dealt with under the Act passed in that year represented increases of 15½ per cent. for single persons and 19 per cent. for married couples. The corresponding additions given under the 1952 Act to the remaining pensioners represented increases of 25 per cent. and 28½ per cent., respectively.

Mr. Jay

How can the Minister explain those figures when the first increase was one of 4s. and the second one of 2s.6d.?

Mr. Peake

The first increase, it is true, was one of 4s., but the second increase was one of 6s. 6d.

Mr. Gaitskell

My right hon. Friend asked the increase in respect of pensioners who had already received an increase in 1951. Will the Minister confirm that in that case the increase was only 2s. 6d. as compared with 4s.?

Mr. Peake

Certainly, but the Question on the Order Paper deals with those securing the corresponding, and not the subsequent, increase.